Year: 2024

‘Tis the season to be jolly—and generous! Please support Root River Current with a financial gift—and thank you!

Yes, Christmas cards do exist in real life! Snowy view of the Christmas Market held on campus in Rauland, Norway.

Christmas in Norway | A Minnesotan’s Yuletide Greeting for the Season

Christmas in Norway looks a little different than her previous home in southeast Minnesota; Drue Fergison reports from abroad on the unique Christmas traditions and experiences in Rauland, Norway.

Season’s Greetings from Root River Current

A reader-requested ‘favorite’ seasonal video bound to bring smiles.

Happy Holidays to you and yours from everyone at Root River Current!

Guitars hold memories of Christmases past for singer/songwriter Ann Lowe, seen here with one of those special gifts from days gone by. (Submitted photo)

Essay | Mom, Memories and My Sears Roebuck Guitar

A Christmas Guitar: Memories burn bright for regional singer/songwriter Ann Lowe.

A woman in a department of natural resources uniform stands on a river bank by long tubes made of natural fibers placed on the muddy bank.

Mississippi River is Eroding Sacred Indigenous Mounds

Seasonal flooding is threatening ancient and sacred Indigenous mounds along the Upper Mississippi River. The Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk reports on efforts to protect these mounds.

Middle aged man stand in front of a large black cast iron machine with a tray holding light brown coffee beans. A long arm moves through the beans as they roast.

Flavors of the World Converge at Carlson Roasting Company

The holidays are filled with laughter, love — and wonderful aromas. Alison Leathers learns how the roasting, grinding, and brewing process impact the taste AND the aroma!

Paul Schmidt in the shed on his farm where 64,000 garlic are drying. Schmidt Farm markets seed stock to a variety of garden and seed companies.

An Ancient Crop Makes its Home in Fillmore County

John Torgrimson visits Schmidt Farm’s garlic operation in Carimona Township, Fillmore County.

Tony Rahe stands next to a wall of lettuce in one of his hydroponic growing containers at Rahe of Sunshine Farms in Wykoff.

Hydroponic Farm is High Tech Operation With Small Footprint

David Phillips tours a hydroponic farming operation in Wykoff, Minnesota. Owner Tony Rahe gives access to the two trailers currently housing multiple acres of lettuce, kohlrabi, and radishes that are sold to local schools, at farmers markets, and online.

Root River Current’s Local Events Calendar: A New Way To Connect

Find a new adventure – check out our Local Events Calendar!

Thankful for…

Photographers Craig Johnson and Joe Deden share photos that remind us of what we’re thankful for at this time of year.

Holiday gifts, tasty treats, and SMILES can all be found at area craft fairs and bake sales. (Photo by John Weiss)

Seasonal Crafts, Sweets Just Around the Corner

Get excited for another year of holiday craft fairs and bake sales by revisiting John Weiss’ visit to a 2023 gathering in Preston.

A low fire burns in vegetation in a ditch along a highway while a worker with fire gear and a drip torch looks on.

Prescribed Burn Team Treats State Highway Ditches With a Dose of Fire

Prescribed burns control noxious plants and spur growth of native vegetation along area roadways. Mike Dougherty follows one crew in southeastern Minnesota working near Interstate 90.

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